WILLIAM RUSSELL BIRCH was born in Warwickshire, England April 9, 1755. He studied at Bristol and London and frequently exhibited in London. In 1794, he emigrated to America with his family and settled in Philadelphia. He is best known for his miniature and enamel portraits and this series of Views of Philadelphia which he worked on with his son Thomas and published in 1799-1800. His work was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy, the Society of Artists, the Artists' Fund Society, the Maryland Historical Society, the American Academy and Apollo Association. He died in Philadelphia.on August 7, 1834 at the age of seventy-nine.

THOMAS BIRCH, son of William Russell Birch, was born in England 1779 and emigrated with his father to Philadelphia in 1794 and spent the rest of his life living and working there. Under his father's direction he prepared the drawings for this series of Views of Philadelphia. He was especially recognized for his paintings of the War of 1812 naval engagements and for his marine and winter scenes. During his lifetime his work was frequently exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy (curator in 1811), the Society of Artists, the Artists Fund Society, the National Academy (honorary member), the American Academy and the American Art Union. He died on January 14, 1851 at the age of seventy-one.